Dell Rapids voters from wards 1 and 4 will take to the polls to decide who will represent them on the city council Tuesday, April 9.

This editorial is not an endorsement of any one candidate, itís an endorsement for being involved in selecting local leaders.

Vote. Vote often.

Some might think a local council election isnít as important as, say, the upcoming Senate election in 2014 or any national election.

Those people are wrong.

Sure, a race between Carrie Testerman and Lee Burggraff, or Skip Tool and Gary Haak doesnít seem as sexy as a presidential elections, but I would argue itís much more important.

Former U.S. Speaker of the House Tip OíNeill coined the phrase ďAll politics is local.Ē He was right.

The president and congressional leaders are restricted by more than 500 other elected officials, and the Supreme Court. Getting initiatives like tax hikes and broad federal policies through the process of becoming law is a tedious, sometimes seemingly impossible process.

But a city councilor with an idea only needs to convince as many as four of his or her colleagues before that idea becomes statute.

So, are you satisfied with your local tax rates? Satisfied with city progress?

If you are, vote. If you arenít, vote.

Let your voice be heard. Cast a ballot at the fire station. You owe it your community.